A to Z Sports

Risers and fallers after the Las Vegas Raiders' first preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings

By Justin Churchill,

6 hours ago

The Las Vegas Raiders lost their first preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings by way of a buzzer-beater field goal. While the second half wasn't great, when the backups took over, the first half was amazing and was by far the better part of the game for the Raiders.

The first half featured a part of the game that we were all looking forward to the quarterback battle. Neither guy made it easier for head coach Antonio Pierce, as they both made some pretty good plays. The first group and even the second group looked very solid on both sides of the ball.

But, the third and fourth stringers didn't show as much of what you would have liked to see. So, with this preseason game being crucial for depth chart battles, along with guys just trying to make the 53-man roster, it's safe to say some fell and some rose up the stocks.

Raiders' risers and fallers of preseason Week 1

Riser: WR Tre Tucker

The Las Vegas Raiders were high on Tucker's speed when they were drafting him. He didn't have the best rookie year, but he showed flashes of what he could be. During training camp this offseason, many started to get worried because he hadn't performed well at all. But on Saturday, he wiped some of that worry away.

Tucker had two of the biggest plays of the day, and on offense, he may have had the two biggest offensive plays. Quarterback Gardner Minshew made the two plays happen. He connected with Tucker for a 29-yard pass on his first drive, and then later in another drive connected for a 44-yard pass. Tucker was displaying great speed and awareness.

Faller: CB M.J. Devonshire

Now, this is no hate, because I actually predicted Devonshire to have an interception before the game. I thought he would play very well, but, unfortunately, I was wrong. The rookie didn't have a great showing in his first-ever NFL action.

The one play that stands out the most is a 45-yard touchdown he gave up on the sideline, where he was absolutely smoked. He just couldn't keep up, and the play really wasn't that close. Look for him to bounce back next week.

Riser: QB Gardner Minshew

When you look at how the two quarterbacks played, both were great. Aidan O'Connell didn't really make any mistakes, however, he didn't use his legs like Minshew, because he can't. If he had that ability, who knows, maybe he wouldn't have taken a sack on third down. But as for Minshew, he did everything he was supposed to and more.

His first drive was amazing, and the touchdown throw to DJ Turner was a thing of beauty. He had the two biggest pass plays of the day, with one also going to Tre Tucker for 44 years. So, I'd say he rose up the charts a bit and definitely made it harder for O'Connell to win the job.

Faller: QB Anthony Brown

The attention was all on the two quarterbacks that are really going through a battle for the starting spot. But, if you paid close enough attention, you probably realized that Anthony Brown, the third strong quarterback out of Oregon, was not very good. He made several negative plays, and just couldn't get anything going.

But, with that said, he still did a bit more than Carter Bradley did, so, while he did fall, he didn't fall below the fourth-string guy.